Can-body-side-seam-soldering machine



J. BRENZINGER.

CAN BODY SIDE SEAM SOLDERING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

awvemtox APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31

J. BRENZINGER.

CAN BODY SIDE SEAM SOLDERING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED IAN- 3h1919. 1,349,044. Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 wuewtoz J. BRENZINGER.

CAN.BODY SIDE SEAM SOLDERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 31, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

J. BRENZINGER.

CAN BODY SIDE SEAM SOLDERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1919. 1,349,044, Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEFIcE.

JULIUS BRENZINGER, or FAIREIELD, GGNNECTIOU'I, ASSIGNOR TO THE MAX AMS MACHINE 00., or nnrnonrona, CONNECTICUT, a CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

CANBODY-SIDE-4EAIiI-$OLDERING MACHINE.

Application filed January 31, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULiUs BRENZINGER, a citizen or" the United States, residing at F airfield, in the county of F airfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Body- Sidie-Seam-Soldering hlachines, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates generally to z'nachines for making the usually cylindrical body portions of sheet metal containers, commonly known as tin cans, with more par ticular reference to machine applying solder to the side seams of the formed bodies; I I In the manufacture of modern so-called sanitary cans, effort is made to eliminate solder, so far as possible or practicable, particularly from the interior of the can where it would come in contact withthe contents thereof. The body portion of the "can is formed from a flat sl1eetmetal blank having a hook at each end thereof, and in the forming operation these ends are interhooked and the overlapping layers compressed to provide a tight seam. lhe end or top and bottom portions are secured to the body portion of the can by what is known as the double seaming process, and by this process overlying layers of ietal are intercurled and a permanently tight seam produced without the emplov nent of solder. In the side seam, however, the metal layers are merely interhooked and compressed, l it is therefore much more dillicult to provi re a tight and substantially permanent seam without solder. The solder is applied ever, on the outside'of the can body, en the interstices b tween the exteriorrlayers and not penetrating: to the interior surhce There are doubtless many ways by w solder may be exterior-1y applied to this socalled interlocked side seam, probably one of the most satisfactory for all purposes being by means oi a rotating roller which dips into a tank of molten solder, the can holy being advanced along said roller with the seam in contact therewith, whereby the film of solder which adheres to the cylindrical face of the roller is scraped therefrom and into the interstices of the ext rior portion of the seam. The only serious objection to this method of applying the solder is that the friction generated between the rotating roller and the advancing can body has a Specification of Letters Patent.

stood by reference to the Patented Aug. 10, 1920. Serial a0. 274,194.

tendency to and ottendo'cs rotate the latter on its support, thereby carrying the ide seam out or" contact with the roller and consequently causing a useless deposit of solder along a wrong line. The principal object of the present invention is the provision of means, in a machine of this character, or in the side-seam soldering apparatus of a machine or" this character, for preventing rotation of the can body while in transit along the solder-depositing roller.

My lllVGlltlOll'Wlll be more readily underaccompanying draw ngs, form ng a part oi this specification, in which 1 have illustrated a practical and convenient embodiment ofthe invention, and in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a ca body side-seam soldering machine embodying my invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectior o1 the same, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail plan view of a portion of the machine, showing the method of clamping the can body to the conveyor chain, the former being in the sition where it is initially eng: by the clamps on the chain, the fully clamped position being indicated by the dotted lines;

Fig. =1- is a somewhat similar view, showing the can in the position in which it is released the clamps and about to be delivered from the machine alter the solderin operation;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section of one of the flexible clamp members, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig.

6 is a bottom plan view of the same, and

Fig. 7 is an end view thereof.

It is to be understood that the machine of my present invention is primarily desig ed to term a link in a chain oi machines to receive a flat blank,

so interconnected as bend the ends thereof so as to provide oppositely-disposed hooks, form the same over a suitable mandrel and at the same time intcrhook the ends of the blank, compress the interhooked port-ions into a substantially solid seam, and apply solder to the exterior parts of the seampossibly, also, passing the now formed can body on to an endllanging machine and thence to a heading machine. I have more particularly in mind v in transit to 1 A pipe 18, leading a machine such as that shown and described means including a yieldingly contractile.

mandrel are provided for forming the can body from a flat sheet-metal blank, interhooking the hooked endsthereof, compressing the interhooked ends to form a seam, and ejecting the formed can body from the mandrel. 1

Projecting from and supported at one end by this forming mandrel is what may be termed a track which includes the guiderails 11 and-1'2 with supplemental anglerails 13 and 14 secured to the formenadapted to receive the formed can body from said mandrel and guide its further advancement. The rails 11 and 12 are spaced apart by blocks 15 15 located at intervals throughout the length of said rails, and said track as a whole is supported at its other end upon a roller l6 (preferably driven in a manner and for a purpose which will be hereinafter set forth) whereby the can body may pass between the track and said roller the discharge end of said track.

The machine of my invention, of course, includes a suitable supporting frame, mounted at one end of which is an elongated. tank'l? adapted to contain molten solder. from any suitable source 7 'of supply of inflammable gas, terminates in machine.

aburner 19 whereby the contents of thetank 1? may be kept in a heated and therefore molten condition. Rotatively mounted to dip into themolten solder 20 in the tank 1? is the roller 21. Obviously, upon rotation of'said roller, a film of molten solder will adhere thereto and be carried upwardlythereby.

Suitably journaled in the frame of the machine is the driving shaft 22 whichis actuated in a manner to be hereinafter de-i scribed. Mounted on this shaft is the bevel gear 23 the teeth of which are in mesh with.

the teeth of the similar gear 24 on the shaft 25. The roller 21 is rotated from the shaft 25 by means of a belt 26 passing around pulleys, on the axle of said roller and the short shaft 27, respectively, the latter being driven from theshaft 25 by means of the inter-meshed gears 28 and 29. The tank 17 is located near that end of the track upon which the can bodies are received from the mandrel, and the roller 21. is so positioned relative to said track that as 30 is advanced the side seam the can body as shown 1 is in contact with said roller,

inFig.2. s To advance the can bodies along said track, I provide the endless conveyor-chain 32 passing around sprockets 33, 34, 35 and 86 suitably mounted on the frame of the Mounted at the end of the shaft 25 is the bevel gear 37 in mesh with a similoose,

lar gear '38 on a shaft 39. The shaft 39 carries the spiral 40 from which the sprocket shaft41 is driven through the interposition of the gear 42 and the pinion 43, the latter being in mesh with a gear on said sprocket shaft, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

It will be apparent that in order that the can bodies may travel. freely along "he track, they must be loose thereon, and, if and pressed with suflicient force against the roller 21 to effect the proper application of solder to the seam 3 tating' roller will tend through friction to displace the seam through rotation of the can body; Thereiore, I have found that it will not suffice merely to provide the chain 32 with lugs adapted to engage the ends of the can bodies in. a common and well-known 1 sure of the compression springs 50 on the rods 48 48, pins 51 51 on said rods limiting movement of said head under action of the springs.

When the formed can body is ejected from the mandrel, it is delivered to a position substantially as indicated in Fig. 3 and at the same velocity as that of the moving chain 32. V The block 47 is so positioned and adjusted relative to the ejecting device that it immediately precedes a can body in process of ejectment, the end of the latter being contiguous to theyielding head 49 of the block. The lug 44 is so positioned relative to the block 47 in advance thereof that the distance between the head 49 and said lug is slightly less than the length of the can body, wherefore the latter may be yieldingly clamped between said head and said lug. The lug, being at a greater distance from the center of the sprocket 34 than the link 45 of which it formsa part, in rounding the curve travels a greater distance and consequently at a higher velocity than the chain, wherefore the can body, near the end of its movement under action of the ejecting mechanism, is followed by the more rapidly moving lug which now engages the end of said body and forces the other end thereof against the yielding head 49, thus clamping said body against rotation on its track under the frictional forces of the rotation roller 21. The'track is continuec for some distance beyond the end of the roller to cool to the point of solidification before discharge of the soldered can body.

Journaled in bearings at the ends of arms or brackets 52 52 suitably mounted on the frame of the machine is a shaft 53 carrying the rotary brush 54. This brush is so located relative to the track that the upper edge thereof contacts with the soldered portion of an advancing can body immediately following the soldering operation for the purpose of rubbing or wiping off any surplus or misplaced solder. This brush is rotated in a direction opposite to that of the advancing can body by means of a belt 55 passed around a pulley 56 on the shaft 53 and a pulley 57 on a shaft 58, the latter being driven by means of the intermeshed bevel gears 59 and 60 on said shaft 58 and the shaft 25, respectively.

The track-supporting roller 16 has a peripheral configuration substantially complemental to that of the can body, so that the latter will pass readily between said roller and the track, slightly elevating the latter. This operation is facilitated by positively rotating said roller by means of a gear 61 on the roller-shaft in mesh with a pinion 62 on the shaft 58.

I have shown the longer legs of the chain 32 slidably supported on angle-bars 63 in order to prevent the undue sagging of the chain which would otherwise occur.

In order to adapt my machine for the soldering of the side seams of can bodies of different lengths, I make the block 47 adjustable on the link L6 through the usual pin (6 and slot (65) connection, the range of adjustment being further amplified by providing a secondsocket 66 for the pin 64. I

The shaft 22 is driven by means of a gear 67 connected in the usual manner to any suitable and convenient source of power. This gear 67 with its hub 68 is loose on the shaft 22, the hub 68 forming one of a pair of clutch members of which the other 69 is keyed to the shaft. The gear 67 rotates continuously and will rotate the shaft when the clutch is closed.

similar gear 70, also loose upon the shaft 22 and adapted to be secured to said shaft by means of a similar clutch 71, has connection with the forming and ejecting mechanism to drive the same. It will be apparent that operation of the soldering mechanism must be continued after opera tion of the forming and ejecting mechanism has been stopped in order to clear the track of the soldered bodies. Therefore, when the desired number of bodies have been formed, the clutch 71 is released, the soldering mechanism continuing to operate until release of the clutch 68-69 when the track has been cleared.

Before reaching the soldering roller 21, the can bodies pass over a fluxing roller 72 my improved ca mounted at the end of a short shaft 73 driven from the shaft 22 by means of the driving-rope 74 passing around the grooved pulleys 75 and '76 on said shafts, respectively.

Many modifications of minor details of -body side-seam soldering machine will doubtless readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which it appertains, and I therefore do not desire to limit my invention to the specific construction herein shown and described.

I claim 1. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, of means for advancing said can body which at the same time yieldingly engages the same at each end thereof to prevent rotation during advancing movement.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, of an endless conveyer, said conveyer being provided with means for advancing said can body and with means cotiperating with said advancing means for yieldingly clamping said can body endwise therebetween to prevent rotation during advancing movement.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, said means comprising a tank of molten solder and a rotating roller dipping thereinto, of means for advancing said can body along said roller with said seam in contact therewith, and means cooperating with said advancing means for yieldingly clamping said can body endwise therebetween to prevent rotary movement thereof.

4;. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, said means comprising a tank of molten solder and a rotating roller dipping into the same, of an endless conveyer, said conveyer being provided with means for advancing said can body along said roller with said scam in contact therewith and with means cooperating therewith for clamping said body endwise therebetween to prevent rotary movement thereof during the solderapplying operation.

5. In amachine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body iii transit, said means comprising a tank of molten solder and a rotating roller dipping into the same, of an endless conveyer, said conveyer being provided with means for advancing said can body along said roller with said scam in contact therewith and with thereof 8 V b- I A a a a means cooperating with said advancing means for yieldingly-clamping said can body endwise therebetween to prevent rotary movement of said body during "the solderapplying operation.

6. In a machineof the character described,

7 the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam oi a can body in transit, and a track for supporting and guiding said body in'movement to, through and away from said applying means, 01 means for advancing said body along said track which at the same time yieldingly engages said body at each end thereof to prevent rotation of said body relative to said applying means. 7

7. In a machine'o i t'he character described,

the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, and a'track for interiorly supporting and guiding said body to, through and away from said applying means, of means for advancing said body along said track, and means cooperating therewith for yieldingly clamping said body endwise therebetween to prevent rotation thereof relative to said ap plying. means. v

8. a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam' of a can body .1n

transit, and a track for supporting and guiding, said body in movement to, through and away from said applying means, of an end-' with means for advancing said body along said track and with means cooperating with said advancing means "for yieldingly clamping said can body endwise .therebetween to applying means.

10. scribed, the combination, with means for applying solder to the side seam of a can body in transit, said means comprising a tank of molten solder and a roller dipping thereinto,

and a track for supporting and guiding said prevent rotation of said body relative to said a In a machine of the character dey nesses.

body in movement to, through and away" from said applying means, of means for advancing said body along sald track, and meanscooperatlng therewith for yieldingly clamping said bodyendwise therebetween to' prevent rotation thereof relative to said ap- 'plymg means.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying solder -to the side seam of a can body in transit, said means vcomprising a tank of molten solder and a roller dipping thereinto, and a track for supporting-and guiding said body in movement to, through and away rrom said applying means, of an endless conveyer, said conveyor being provided with means for advancing said body along said track and with means cooperating therewith for clamping said body 'endwise therebetween to prevent rotation thereof relative to said applying means.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for applying-solder to the side seam'of a can body in transit, said means comprising a tank of molten solder and a rotating roller dipping thereinto, and a track for supporting and guiding said body in movement to, through and away from said applying means, of an endless conveyer, said conveyer being provided with means for advancing said body along said track and with means cooperating with said advancing 'means for yieldingly clamping said can body endwise therebetween to prevent rotation'thereof relative to said applying means. 7

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination, with means for successively applying solder to the side seams of can bodies intransit, and a track for supporting and guiding said bodies in movement to, through and away from said ap-* plying means, of an endless conveyor provided with members for engaging and pushin" said bodies along said track and with yielding abutments against which the other ends of said bodies are adapted to impinge to clamp said bodies endwise between said members and said abutments to prevent rotation of the'advancing can bodies relative to said applying means.

In testimony of the foregoing, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two wit- JULIUS BRENZINGER.

Witnesses TIMOTHY O. ERG,

L. D. J ONES. 

